Pros & Cons of Pierced Ears

Piercing is a relatively safe and quick procedure with minimal pain. But before you bring your daughter to the jewelry store to have her ears pierced or wish to have your own ears pierced, you should carefully weight the pros and cons to make sure that it is the right decision as pierced ears may affect you more than you're aware.

Pro: The Child Won't Remember

Some parents prefer to get their daughter's ears pierced when she is an infant; there is no medical reason to wait longer and it can be done at any time as long as she's healthy. Ear piercing is slightly painful, and some parents believe that getting ears pierced in infancy or while a small toddler will get that pain over sooner with less memory of the pain as the child grows.

Con: It Could Become Infected

Unfortunately, not all jewelry and nail salons that offer ear piercing are as clean as they should be. The equipment used for the piercing should be inspected and disinfected, so that you don't become infected from dirty equipment. It should also be noted that the gun used for piercing ears cannot be sterilized; only the other equipment can be. But even if the equipment has been sterilized, dirt and germs during healing pose a risk for contracting an infection. If the infection is bad enough, you'll need to remove the earrings and let them heal. Likewise, some people are allergic to the metals in the earrings, and you won't know until you have a reaction. Keep a careful watch over the ears and look for any changes that could indicate a problem.

Pro: They Teach Responsibility

For a younger girl around the age of eight, getting pierced ears may be an important lesson in responsibility. You'll need to talk with her about the importance of taking care of her ears by cleaning them daily with rubbing alcohol. She'll also learn about turning the earrings to help the ears to heal, as well as keeping track of her new styles and choices of earrings. She'll most likely be eager to prove that she can take care of her earrings.

Con: It Might Not Be Her Choice

If you choose to have your daughter's ears pierced before she can choose for herself, you may find that she takes them out when she is older because they aren't what she wants. Some parents hope for a feminine daughter when piercing her ears and find that they have a tomboy as she grows. Piercing ears may be a big choice in your daughter's life, and making that decision for her might not be what she would have decided on her own.